reading plan focuses on the prayers offered to God in the narratives of Scripture. Each day we’ll read a narrative that includes a prayer from an individual or group. Their prayers vary in length, type, posture, purpose, and God’s response. The secondary passages explore how the rest of Scripture speaks to the themes demonstrated in the main reading.
While each account is different, every prayer recorded in Scripture teaches us about the unchanging God who invites us to speak to and hear from Him. These prayers model for us what it can look like to be in conversation with God. As you read, notice the posture and emotions present each day.
Reading Scripture together is the centerpiece of what we do at She Reads Truth. As we spend time as a community reading Prayers in Scripture together, we encourage you to start by reading the daily Scripture on your own. Then join us here to engage and encourage one another as we respond to what we’ve read in the comments.
In light of today’s Scripture reading, how can you live out the truth that we serve a God who brings justice?
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95 thoughts on "The God Who Brings Justice"
So thankful for your grace Abba father. Thanks for taking care of me.
I’m thankful that God is the one that gets the justice. I need to trust in him and give that back to him always. How freeing this truth is when I love it out!
From David Guzik commentary
b. Why did I come forth from the womb to see labor and sorrow: There was a purpose of God in setting this section of grief immediately after the section of faith and triumph — to show that trusting God did not make it all easy or triumphant for Jeremiah. The battle remained and reliance upon God had to be constant.
ii. “These verses do belong together. They may not belong together by logic, but who says the life of the soul is always logical? Jeremiah’s curses follow his praises because that is the way it was during his dark night of the soul.” (Ryken)
REAL LIFE.
God allowed this in His word to show reality of our hearts living in a fallen workd full of confiding, pain, hardship and grief.
I am responsible to obey what the Lord calls me to do, but I am not responsible for the outcome. He will take care of it all amen.
We live in a world that is constantly working against you. Satan uses every opportunity to twist your beliefs. God is proven to be a compassionate and intentional father who cares deeply for children. He uses the trials that’s are thrown at us to further prepare us for what is to come and make us stronger.
I read in ‘the enduring Word’ commentary app that even with Jeremiah being in the will of The Lord and being a faithful messenger. He still experienced depression and pain, which I isn’t a sin .
But he couldn’t stop preaching the Prophetic Word from God.
God takes revenge, we just wait patiently and not be bitter.
Give it all to Him and let Him work it out. Show you are confident in who He says He is and He will bring justice. Do not do it on your own.
Trusting that God WILL bring justice and it’s not up to me to do
Remembering that it is God to whom people will have to answer to. He already sees and knows what is going on. I am called to serve Christ and draw closer to Him, not bring justice upon people.
God is a deliverer. We have to have the trust and the faith that He is good and he wants good things for His people – but that doesn’t mean easy. Rather than acting in our humanity and wallowing in our perceived injustice, lean into Him and act out of love, remain in the moment/persecution/affliction etc and love from that place. He works all things together for the good of those while love Him.
being kind and a good shepherd in a sense of spreading the good news of Jesus.
When I see something that is wrong I can do something about it in a way that shows God’s love. Apathy can also be a way of sinning.
with open hands and open arms to those around me. to forgive quickly. to show kindness to the broken or one’s hurting/wanting to hurt me. to have constant grace and compassion. living out His truth is trying to live like Him.
Repaying evil with good led by the Holy Spirit and trusting Him to resolve issues that I too often think are my job to handle. Spending time in His word daily to remind myself of His truth and opening my hands and heart to receive the daily gift of the Holy Spirit to guide and lead me.
I will trust God to restore me and those around me, and that He will resolve all.
I can live out the truth by praying everyday to be a better person and make a positive impact on the people who are surrounding me.
I can live out the truth that we serve a God who brings justice by trusting him to resolve issues and being willing to obey him even when it is uncomfortable. When there are injustices (against me or my friends and family or more broadly in society), I’m often quick to want to pull down whoever I think is the offender. I want the guilty punished! But not only do I not have any guarantees that I know who is guilty or innocent, my imagined punishments are probably not things that would bring God glory. I need to be praying instead of pointing fingers. Encouraging reflection and compassion instead of spreading gossip. Looking for ways to serve the victims of injustice instead of how to punish the perpetrators.
Waking up to Gods word and praying for a closer relationship with him. Talking to God with a sincere and open heart . Connecting with God and sharing his word .
This resonated with me because in 2021 my husband started working for a family member making fairly good money. Well a month into working the family member failed to pay my husband his wages for work he had done. It was about $2,000 worth of work. This was during a time we desperately needed money and have 2 small children. I was beyond angry, I was furious and hurt because we needed that money (or so I thought) and the verse about Vengebce being the Lords is what I clung too and I even started praying for his family who had betrayed us and I figured for whatever reason maybe they needed the money more than we did and I trusted that God would take care if it and boy did He!! I’m still praying for his family member but our needs were met. About another month after that happened my husband was introduced to an even better paying job that gave us abundantly, exceedingly more than I could have imagined. God is good and let him repay with vengeance.
I can live out the truth of God by sharing his word and meditating on his word. Setting my focus on his word daily, first thing in the morning, through out the day, and before bed. I can talk to God all day and recite scripture. I can listen to God’s will for me and seek him through whatever I am going through.
Knowing that God is a God of justice reminds me that the pursuit of holiness is worth it! When I feel weak, and like sin would be so much easier, more convenient, or fun, I can remember that God doesn’t miss a thing and He will help me!
You are so right, Sarah! That is the part of today’s scripture reading that punched me in the gut. Jeremiah said he had no other choice. Although he was surrounded by fire when he spoke, there was an even greater fire within him if he didn’t speak. Praying for you from Gainesville; that you may be this way today!!!
By leaning in, hearing him and going and doing what is right when my flesh tells me no…I need to lean into my spirit that Good gave me and lean into God, I can’t do this alone
I thought the passage in Jeremiah was so beautiful because he was in deep despair and despite wishing he had never been born, he still said to sing and give praise to God. I want to live out God’s justice by sharing with those who are hurting and in despair, that “God rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked”
By trusting Him when things feel unjust, knowing that we “as far as possible” are to “live at peace with everyone.” For we are also the means through which God shows love, kindness and compassion in an unjust world
Through Gods love ❤️
By giving others grace and not avenging myself when someone does something wrong and evil to me.
Through unconditional everlasting LOVE for all
By believing in God and making sure I do my part in treating others fairly.
I find guidance in the 3 verses for todays reading, as a whole. In Jeremiah’s lament(his prayer) to the Lord, he is faced with such great injustice and hardship in life that he questions the purpose for his existence. In Roman’s it tells us the radical way in which we should treat our enemies despite whatever acts of injustice they have committed toward us. And then finally in Hebrews it reminds us that we have a Savior who experienced injustice and understands our suffering – “ he endured the cross, despising the shame.” We are to look to God, the one who perfects our faith, trust that justice is His, and in His timing.
I can live out the truth that we serve a God who brings justice by keeping the law in the way Jesus commanded. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. I’m called to love. I’m a fellow sinner. I cannot bring justice but God can so I should love and trust God while I wait.
This was a tough day for me to understand – not seeing the prayer in it? But I’ll keep reading and asking God to reveal what he wants me to understand.
I think speaking the truth in n of God is what will set people free. Our Savior is a Just judge. Which means He is fair, but not in the World’s of thinking “just” and “fair”! So was must be thr “salt” and teach about about God’s justice and pray that it is received and believed!
truth! You read Jeremiah, Romans ( Paul) and Hebrews…we are to speak the truth, even if it goes against
I can live out the truth that we serve a God who brings justice by believing it myself, praying for the justice/faith for myself and others in God serving justice, having faith that He will in all times, encouraging others to have faith in that/who God is as the definition of justice, and testifying what God has done to serve justice in my life.
I think it always helps to understand that His Justice is eternal and righteous. There are so many people who do not get our human Justice in the face of evil actions and it is my hope and prayer that our Lord provides His Justice to those who are victimized by the horrors of this world.
We can do this by understanding what Justice means. That justice is essential to our way of life and that it will be found either in this life our our next with Him.
J Lynn, thank you for sharing this. A contemporary example of taking God’s Word seriously and obeying it, for all of us to see. I can see the challenge before you, and I applauded your godly determination to bear the fruit of the Spirit (especially self-control) in your life. May God bless your with perseverance at work!
oops…the way we point the “world” (not “work) to Christ.
From a previous devotion or comment (?) during our 2020 Lenten study of Jeremiah Day 17, Chpt 20-22:
“Our big picture calling is to proclaim the name of Jesus, but we have all been entrusted with unique circumstances and gifts that shape the way we point the work to Christ.” also “Will we let God speak through our lives?”
Traci Gendron: So sorry for your broken heart. Lifting you for God’s peace and comfort. I have also lost a son and anniversaries especially those first years are so hard.
I also miss the daily devotion section from the talented SRT writers, but finally realized that at the end of the repeated paragraphs each day is a new, daily prompt. I appreciate the answers/comments/wisdom shared by the readers. Reflecting back on the daily prompt helps me stay focused, but I do really like having a daily, currated teaching we can all quickly access and consider.
Thank you God, for YOUR truth, for each woman here and for SRT team.
Praying for a breakthrough in your job situation.
Thank you for this comment. I was looking for some extra context to this reading and this was so wonderful!
I needed to read Romans 21 today… I am dealing with a situation at work… everyone is overworked and blaming others for the amount of work that we have… I work from 7am-4pm non stop, no lunch break; and it’s disheartening to hear others complain that I’m not doing enough… my initial instinct is to lash out and tell my boss everything that my coworkers are doing wrong… but it would only be out of spite… and I am reminded today to not conquer evil with evil… so I will keep my mouth closed; and pray for their hearts instead!
Pray about injustice instead of complaining about it.
We can pray about
Praying your loss during this time. Please know that God is with you .
Praying your loss during this time. Please know that God is with you
I needed this reminder to be more tolerant of my family and not only talk about being kind and forgiving but to demonstrate it
♥️
I believe that God punishes on ways that we may not see as punishment. But I do believe that when someone does a wrong doing that God punishes and I believe that those punishments are in ways that He makes us slow down and think of what we’ve done so that we can be better and live Christ like.
Sometimes it is so hard to not act on others evil behaviors. I will continue to remind myself God will handle all in His own time and just pray about it.
I need to learn to turn my angry over to Him and not act out.
Sometimes life is so unfair isn’t it? In times of life’s beatings, I need to remind myself God is always fair, though I might not get to see the punishment of my enemies, one thing is sure: God shall judge everyone according to their deeds (Romans 2:6). Jeremiah’s prayer is full of bitterness, frustration, anger and pain, to the point that Jeremiah cursed the day he was born (like Job). Jerusalem is a well-known place for persecuting and killing its prophets (Matthew 23:37). Where is justice we might ask? Then prophet Jesus came (thank you Angie Mills), lived a sinless life, just to be hung on the cross. Again we might ask, where is justice? The frustrating futility King Solomon expressed in Ecclesiastes is on the same theme, the evil “prosper” in their ways. We see Job raising the same question, “Why do the wicked prosper, growing old and powerful? (Job 21:7). And Jeremiah, “Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? (Jeremiah 12:1). These are the lamentations of godly men, Job, Jeremiah, Solomon. Then I paused and realized something.. aren’t we all once the wicked? Haven’t we all once lived far from God and were deeply deceived/delusional that we are good people? Where is justice when we yell at our husband and refuse to submit (feminism –women are boss over men)? Where is justice when we are adamant to return evil for evil because that is our version of justice? Where is justice when we build ourselves into a fine image at the cost of others around us? Where is justice when we love ourselves and the mighty dollar over loving God with all our heart/mind/soul &strength? We were wicked behind closed doors, where was justice then? Would we still ask, where is justice when I was so evil by God’s standards? Justice for Him is “mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13). The wonderful mercy of God that triumphs the judgment we should have got, but didn’t, we got mercy instead. I just want to cry when I think of His mercy. God is angry at the wicked everyday (Psalm 7:11), yet being rich in mercy, He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their evil ways and live (Ezekiel 33:11). Let us give praise and thanksgiving without ceasing to the God who is the God of mercy, and also the God of justice. May we thank Him for the devine justice we received. Lifting the prayer requests to God on behalf of our beloved sisters, may God comfort you and grant you favour and answers in any area that you need. Praying for divine protection, good health, peace & prosperity, and growing knowledge of the Lord Jesus for all of us & our families. Be blessed dear sisters.
I have to keep my hope and trust in God no matter what. That justice will prevail in God’s timing, not mine.
Jesus we live in an unjust and cruel world where evil is the norm but I pray for everyone who will read this devotional today and for years to come, your word says that you are making a river in the desert and a path in the wasteland. Speak to the deserts and the wastelands in our lives and may life be renewed. May you restore our hope, increase our faith, protect our peace and provide our joy. You reign supreme over the broken in Iran, in Ukraine, in Congo, in Ethiopia, in the US, in the UK. May you cover all your children in every nation. Amen
I’m so incredibly sorry for your loss. The Spirit groans for us when we don’t know what to say, and I know that holds true for you. Continue to try and keep hope! I’ll pray for you too.
We can live out the truth by trusting him to do what we can’t and staying focused on the call to share the gospel and make disciples… we can take what Gods holy word tells us seriously and make sure our hearts are teachable, that our walk is humble and that our wisdom is Gods truth alive and active in our footsteps; not just our lips… we can study the life of Jesus and ask for his power to emulate him in how we live how we treat people and how we navigate these evil times… asking to be transformed by the renewing of our minds daily.
Today’s reading brought me back to when we did the study of Jeremiah. I really admire this prophet. He endured humiliation, mocking, beating and being put on public display. He feels deceived in that he was used and then thrown aside by Yahweh. He spoke what Yahweh told him to speak and then suffered for it. He didn’t understand this. He goes on to say that he will no longer mention Yahweh or speak any longer in his name. But then he goes on and says that Yahweh’s message becomes a fire burning in his heart and that he gets tired of holding it in. I want God‘s message, the gospel to become a message that’s a fire burning in my heart that I can’t hold in no matter what humiliation or mocking I receive. Then I would remember that my God will take care of it, End it doesn’t matter because he is for me.
Good morning I can live out the truth that we serve a God who brings justice by praying and believing His word. My mother died before my 5th birthday and my father remarried. My step mother was not kind. When my maternal grandmother would visit we would tell her what our stepmother had done to us and she would tell us to pray for her. She referenced the scripture “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in doing so you will heap coals of fire on his head(Romans 12:20)I did not understand as a child why I would pray for someone who was mistreating me but I am so glad that I learned God’s way of justice( prayer) rather than my own way of wanting to retaliate. I’m glad that I had someone who could speak life into me versus hatred and death. I’m thankful for the prayers of Godly grandparents♥️
Also had trouble using the app clearly lol. Didn’t mean to post the same thing over and over! Sorry!
I had trouble answering todays question and then read others responses and it helped me! Thanks guys
1- fighting my sin daily (battle of endurance) with the help of Christ and knowing He covers my sin
2- letting go of holding on to grudges! Seeing here in scripture that It’s not my job to bring about justice. The call to be kind to those who are unkind to me is so good for my heart. I tend to try to avoid someone who is regularly belittling and rude to me. But these verses help me to see what God has for me is not to hold onto resentment and be fearful but to be bold in the way that I love. Put aside my hurt. Not let that be this focus. Not worry about whether they are rude again but just be kind to them.
I had trouble answering todays question and then read others responses and it helped me! Thanks guys
1- fighting my sin daily (battle of endurance) with the help of Christ and knowing He covers my sin
I had trouble answering todays question and then read others responses and it helped me! Thanks guys
For me… Leaving room for God’s justice starts with the renewing of my mind. Reminding myself of my own failures in character helps me to practice a more compassionate response towards those who are critical and unjust to me. When possible…a long walk talking to God works miracles.
Good Morning sweet sisters! Happy Wednesday! I am SO encouraged AGAIN by our reading through the scriptures THE WORD! How can I live out truth that I serve a God who brings justice? TRUST. I trust HIM whose got me! As a runner I love the metaphor of running in Hebrews 12:1-2 especially…”and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” Even when I’m tired (physically and emotionally) I will continue. AND as we read in Romans, about not paying evil for evil, as hard as it is at times I need to live at peace with everyone which for me it sometimes means keeping my mouth shut and pray to my Jesus to give me strength EVEN when my surroundings are not fair or even right.
Today’s reading reminded me that the truth of the Gospel will not be received by everyone.The people whom we love,trust sometime times even Christians oppose the truth of God’s word. This can become discouraging.Continuing to grow spiritually in Bible based studies with other believers increases my faith,endurance,
confidence and restores my joy in the Lord.
Jeremiah’s lament is so descriptive and moving. I feel his disparities and know God did too and this reminded me that He ALWAYS hears me! My prayers may not be answered the way I want but He hears me and comforts me !!! Amen!!!
I seem to be struggling with this study. I get so much out of the devotions and maybe I rely on them too much. This past Sunday was a year since my son died. I have struggled with praying. I’m not mad at God or anything like that, but the grief makes it hard to stay focused and pray.
Rebecca, praying for your back pain. May the Lord who gives encouragement and perseverance help you today. May He strengthen not only your physical body, but also your spirit. I also have a prayer request. My daughter in law had a biopsy yesterday. They suspect cervical cancer. Please pray for her and her family.
Jeremiah sounds so discouraged. Having been called “in the womb” means he spent his whole life bringing the truth to his people and not a one listened, no one changed, AND he was openly mocked and mistreated! BUT, despite all that, despite lamenting his very birth, even if he TRIES not to keep going in his calling he can’t – verse 9 “But if I say, “I will not remember Him or speak anymore of His name,” then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot endure it.”
Later in the prayer (or “soapbox” moment as it made me envision it), he acknowledges the Lord’s steadfastness and justice, and PRAISES HIM even moments before cursing the day he was born.
I mean, what an example of getting the “raw end of the deal” and STILL putting your hope and trust that God will see justice done, no matter what comes of him. Easy to cheer him on in retrospect. Much harder to apply that to myself when I feel mistreated in doing good, in seeking God’s ways instead of the worlds. But it is such a great reminder that God is still on the throne, and I can keep my eyes fixed on him, sit at his feet, soak up His word in my heart, and no matter what circumstances I face I will have the steadfast justice and grace of
God to compel me to keep going, “like a burning fire shut up in my bones, too weary to hold it in!” (loved that part of this week’s podcast!)
Be encouraged Dear Hearts (as the lovely Tina says it – I bet it sounds even lovelier in her accent!) that God is mighty to save, close to the brokenhearted, and does not hold back any good thing from His children!
Sobering reading today yet comforting to know even a prophet of God has extreme feelings of sadness but still cries out to God for help. He hears us!
Lifting C and H in prayer and comfort for you @thebestisyettocome
@Jennifer loves Jesus- your words always speak to my heart. Thank you
@ Taylor prayers for good health to return.
Today I am asking for prayer for myself. (When I read some of your comments and requests I feel like mine is no big deal, but then I remember everything is important to God) Anyway, I have hurt my back (not sure how) and it is pretty much a constant pain. I went to the doctor last week and got two shots and a muscle relaxer to take at night. I really haven’t felt any relief or change. It will be two weeks this Sunday since it started. I teach young hearing impaired children and really need mobility to keep up with them. I’m not dying, but it is constant. So I ask for healing prayers. Thank you all.
I can remember and proclaim to others that God will bring justice once and for all when Jesus comes again. It is difficult at times because we want justice now, but we must remember it will come in God’s time. God is the One True and Just Judge. Lord, help me not take it upon myself to be.
There are many, many injustices in the world we live in. If we focused on that, we would very quickly lose heart, lose hope, become depressed. We have to look beyond today – the here and now, and look to the future – that day when Jesus will make all things right. A day when His righteous justice finally plays out. In the mean time we pray for relief, we pray for breakthroughs and we wait – expectantly. Whether we see God answer or not, we must still sing to the Lord and give praise to His name just as Jeremiah did in Jeremiah 20:13. Much easier said than done, especially if you are in the midst of trials and tribulations. “But God” – He is our shelter, our strength, the rock upon which we stand. We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. Philippians 4:13.
Father God, please be near to each and every SRT sister today. Whatever difficult, impossible circumstance they might be going through, give them the strength to keep going forward. Help each and everyone of us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Let us lean into You today and let Your Holy Spirit minister to us. In Jesus name, Amen.
@thebestisyettocome – Praying for C & H. Many God protect this little one, keeping him safe in the arms of Jesus, and may a breakthrough come soon.
The cries of Jeremiah for justice can only be met with the truth of the existence of injustice. There is much to lament over in this world. And, as much as my heart yearns for peace and love to rule in the life I find myself in, there is reality, there is injustice. Reading through the book of Jeremiah is not a joy ride by any stretch. Yet if taken in the larger story, my heart can grow in wisdom to stand in the painful places of my own with a hope that is strong and unbreakable. Because God is unchanging. He holds my future. He is the beginning and the end. Questions and cries over the unjust and wrongs are necessary. Hiding or avoiding the truth of what we struggle with does no good. It is good to lament. It is good to cry. It is good to be honest with God. So I seek His face when everything is shattered. I seek His face when he heals my broken heart. I seek His face because He never fails me. I seek His face with my questions. I seek His face to shine upon mine to make me glow in His light. When I seek Him with my whole heart, he gives me His wholeness. I don’t have to have it all figured out, He holds all that I need. Praying this truth over you right now, that the wisdom and knowledge of God permeates all of your questions and answers them with His truth. If the only answer is that He loves us, it is enough. And it is His answer every time His people seek Him in faith. May the love and knowledge of God sustain you, here and now and always. Until… Maranatha.
Praying for your family members at this painful time. Thankful there is family to support your sister in law while her husband is away.
Great points Katie Megee.
While reading Jeremiah 20, my mind jumped to Another who was beaten in the temple area by the direction of priests and other spiritual leaders of Israel. Thank You, Jesus, for justice and mercy both being foundations of Your character. Thank You for the suffering You endured on my behalf and dying on the cross in my place. Everything that You went through on that day (betrayal, trial, torture, hunger, thirst, being sentenced as a criminal, mocked, suffering, the wrath and abandonment of Your Father, and death) are things I deserve because of my sin. Thank You that You took all of this so I don’t have to. What a merciful God You are!
Praying for peace and comfort only God can give for the precious family mentioned. I loved this section, the rawness, honesty, even the desperation of it. He ran to God, unashamed of how he was feeling. Knowing God was the answer and praying for victory in the battle. What an example. Who am running to first when my life gets hard?
Living out the truth that we serve a God who brings justice – this one is hard, although not as difficult as it used to be as I have gotten older and I guess have more self control – most days anyway. Not lashing out, praying for the evil I see and the wrongs that are done to me personally. God sees it all and no one can thwart His plans or His justice. He is also a forgiving God. I am so thankful for that in my own life. In light of that, for those doing the evil and the wrongs I have to remember that they too can be forgiven and washed white as snow if they accept the priceless gift of salvation.
PATTI MCLEAN – loved your comment One More Time – thank you
KIMBERLY Z – thankful your dad is going to church
MOLLY R – praise the Lord for rest and healing
NANCY – Ask Him Again, loved that! thank you
praying for:
MONICA – your friend whose brother passed away
MEGHAN FOX – salvation for daughter and other family members
THEBESTISYETTOCOME – foster children
KAIHLA TOMASSI – healing for your brother
MELANIE – healing
I can live out the truth that we serve a God who brings justice in these ways:
1. Remember God’s character. He is sovereign over all things. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and in all places. He is gracious and merciful, kind and compassionate, faithful in His lovingkindness, forgiving and just.
2. Trust God to bring about His purposes in the circumstances. Romans 8:28 says that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
3. Continue to live Christlike lives (see Romans 12:1-15:13; Hebrews 13:1-21; 1 Peter 1:13-4:19). Do justly toward others because God is just and righteous. I should reflect the same things.
4. Pray, remembering that only God can change hearts and circumstances.
5. Keep your eyes on the eternal. Remember that this world is passing away. Jesus is coming again. When He comes, He will come as a mighty warrior, bringing justice and righteousness. He will make all things new.
In answer to today’s question, I can have more faith and peace that God does enact justice in His time.
I’m praying over you and your precious family. The song “God Turn it Around” entered my prayer for you. May you have a breakthrough in the name of Jesus. Your words of hope during a dark time encourages me greatly! God bless C & H!
Joining with others in praying for justice/mercy and life for the young protestors imprisoned in Iran. Romans 12:21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” I will be reflecting on today’s question.
Asking for prayers as I have been sick since Friday afternoon/evening and I’m still coughing and congested. Thank you <3
We can live out this truth by not serving out our own Justice. God will judge and he will reward with just rewards or punishments. We should not take God’s place as judge. So, I should love everyone even while using the discernment that God gave me.
Also, I should persevere through trials as God will show me what I need to learn to grow and reflect Jesus’s love more and more every day.
Jeremiah was trying to run the race God set out for him, but he has doubts. The reading in Jeremiah go from praise of God to detesting his life. He teaches me it is ok to waiver in our faith but to bring it to God. The other vs tell me God will prevail, I am not the one to seek vengeance.
@kelly(neo) I was thinking the same thing, that God’s justice is not just for this earth. I have to hold onto that eternal mindset when the justice I’d like to see doesn’t come the way I’d hope. I trust God’s will to be best and know he is a defender of the weak.
God told Abraham He would not destroy the wicked of it would harm the righteous. Jesus said the same thing when He said He would not pull out the roots if it would destroy the good plants. When I see wickedness all around going seemingly unchecked by God, it is good for me to remember He will not do a thing if it will cause harm to His chosen people also. But there will come a day when He gathers His children to Himself, and woe to the wicked and unrepentant then. His plan, His timing, His justice.
11 But the Lord is with me as a dread warrior;
therefore my persecutors will stumble;
they will not overcome me.
They will be greatly shamed,
for they will not succeed.
Their eternal dishonor
will never be forgotten. 12 O Lord of hosts, who tests the righteous,
who sees the heart and the mind,
let me see your vengeance upon them,
for to you have I committed my cause. – Jeremiah 20:11-12
The Lord sees the heart and the mind. May I examine my life and trust him over and over in the midst of each storm.
11 But the Lord is with me as a dread warrior;
therefore my persecutors will stumble;
they will not overcome me.
They will be greatly shamed,
for they will not succeed.
Their eternal dishonor
will never be forgotten. 12 O Lord of hosts, who tests the righteous,
who sees the heart and the mind,
let me see your vengeance upon them,
for to you have I committed my cause. – Jeremiah 20:11-12
The timing of this reading is perfect. I am a foster mom and there is great injustice being done to my foster baby who has been in my care for 19 months. Even though his case looks very dark and discouraging right now, I know God is still in control, protecting this little guy. He has a plan. Would luv prayers for C & H!
Need a breakthrough & some favor soon!
I do believe that we serve a God who brings justice. The only way I can live out this truth is to be like Jesus and to trust God to be God. I went back and read the verses that come before Romans 12:17-21. In these verses, we are told how to live like Jesus. Love genuinely. Abhor evil. Cling to the good. Show honor. Don’t be lazy. Be zealous. Serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope. Be patient in tribulation. Be constant in prayer. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Weep with the weeping. Rejoice with the rejoicing. Live in harmony and peace.
I pray that you all have a blessed day today.
I am reminded of an unexpected phone call I got recently from a hospital about a medical test for my ex-husband who I have not spoken to since our divorce was finalized in 2018. I explained to the gentleman that I no longer have contact with him. Now I could have let it end with that, burrowing how important medical tests are I decided to reach out to his mother, who I am still in contact with and informed her. I also prayed for him and whatever medical issue he may be experiencing. Those who know my testimony regarding my marriage know this is a big deal as the relationship was abusive.
When someone does something against me, I try my best to not react in a spiteful way. I am not going to sit here and say I don’t have negative thoughts about them. I have learned to remember God’s grace towards me which helps me to give grace to others. This does not mean I allow them to step over me or allow them to continue to do things to me. I realize I don’t have to come back at them in the manner they came at me. I am intentional about how I approach them wanting them to see an approach out of kindness and humility.
The Lord will defend His name and those who are called by His name. Remembering that this world will not last and God’s justice is eternal shifts my eyes upward when confronted with injustice.
The situation in Iran has my heart heavy. The brutality of the regime and humanitarian crisis is horrific. I pray for them for justice for their people and a turn from wickedness in their leadership.
It is good to read such honest prayers in the Bible. To know that I can cry out to God with all my questions and doubts. There is often already some relieve in just speaking it all out loud. Another thing that struck me was how this all was happening in the temple. Jeremiah, a prophet of God, being beaten and imprisoned by a priest. It is so far off from what we’ve read in Leviticus about what the priest was supposed to do. Still, it gives me hope knowing that God doesn’t just let this happen. God will defend His glory and His people. This gives hope also when it comes to things that are really going wrong in the church. God is a violent warrior. He is with us and will defend His people so that His Word is preached rightly.